66 OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 



on a bad scenting day, he ought to be mindful 

 that the Field likewise participates in his dis- 

 appointment. There is not a greater misery than 

 returning home after bad sport ; every thing 

 appears to go wrong ; but suppose the hounds 

 to have done their work well the whole day, 

 having no wild horsemen to over-ride them, and 

 you kill yovxr fox handsomely after a run of an 

 hour and a quarter ; then I can imagine I hear 

 you talking to your hounds on your way home, 

 — " Justice, old fellow, you made a capital hit 

 when the sheep brought us to check ; and W"\\\, 

 did you see Gamestress tiu'n like lightning with 

 the scent, when the fox was headed ? the young 

 ones too, they began to work and enjoy a scent ; 

 and old Sophy, she was at the head of affairs 

 when the fox was sinking." With happy thoughts 

 like these, when you sit down to dinner, every 

 thing goes right, the soup is excellent, the fish 

 delicious, the venison of the highest quality, and 

 the wine of superior flavour. The Ladies too 

 appear more than usually fascinating, and every 

 thing they do pleases you. 



It is said a master of fox hounds should be 

 possessed of the patience of Job, but even if he 

 were, it would too often be put to the test. For 

 instance, — to have your hounds over-rode by some 

 jealous horseman, who pays no attention to their 



